Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012

Each time the US Sailing rules change, I order my replacement copy of "Understanding," by Dave Perry. Not only is he the most reliable and knowledgeable expert on our sport's arcane rules, but also he's the best at explaining them. Besides a complete rules dissection, the book holds a complete set of the latest racing rules (so you don't need to spend another $30 on those if you're not a US Sailing member) and a great rules-in-brief section that can help a newcomer get on the race course safely without tackling the complexity.

An excerpt from the Back Cover: Includes the complete text of the 2005-2008 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing and US SAILING Prescriptions. Contains over 100 quotes and references to the US SAILING Appeals and ISAF Cases, making it an indespensable resource for sailors and racing officials. The better you know the rules, the sharper you will be tactically on the race course. Dave Perry clearly and concisely answers all of the most commonly asked questions on the racing rules from a champion racing sailor's perspective.

This is the place to start. Dave Perry makes the rules come alive through clear, interesting examples and Brad Dellenbaugh's quirky little drawings. It is a wonderful book for the beginner trying to get past the confusion of being able to apply the rules while approaching a thicket of starboard tack boats without the benefit of painted lines marking the lanes, yield signs giving you a heads-up, and brakes to bail you out when your attention wanders. At the beginning of each season's racing I return to this book to get me back in the mindset of the racing culture. Be sure you get the current edition.

Every so often, the rules for sail racing are refined. Knowing the impact of these rule changes, while requiring some "guts" to follow amongst other racers who may not be as current, can have yield big advantage on the course and in front of the protest committee. This book helps you get there by citing many common situations.